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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How can Spunk's job be described?

2. Who comes out from the woods in Chapter 2?

3. Who does Lena love more, Joe or Spunk?

4. Which character is described as a giant, brown-skinned man?

5. Who is the main gossip in Chapter 1?

Short Essay Questions

1. From what perspective is Chapter 2 told? Why is this important?

2. What is the resolution of Hurston's story?

3. Describe the relationship between Joe and Lena.

4. Describe the setting for this story as given in the beginning of Chapter 1.

5. How does the point of view affect the reader's perspective in Chapter 1?

6. How is the fact that Spunk is not able to use his gun to kill the bobcat ironic?

7. Do you feel sorry for Joe? Why or why not?

8. What offer from Spunk does Lena refuse in Chapter 1? Why do you think she does this?

9. How is Lena characterized in Chapter 1? Do you think this is a favorable description?

10. What is Spunk's reaction immediately following Joe's death? How is it different from Lena's reaction?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Which character in Hurston's book is most likable? Why? Which character do you like the least? What is it about that particular character that causes you to dislike him or her?

Essay Topic 2

How does Hurston incorporate the concept of man versus self in the novel? Which character do you think is the best example of man versus self, and why?

Essay Topic 3

What is the purpose of a foil in literature? Describe one character in Hurston's work that you believe is a foil of another character. Why do you think Hurston may have created characters that emphasize each other's qualities?

(see the answer keys)

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